Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Not Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Western Pacific Ocean: Philippines north to Taiwan and Southern Japan.
Size: 8 inches (20 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits shallow rocky coral reefs at depths between 15 to 70 feet (5 – 20 m) and feeds on filamentous algae, crabs, worms, crustaceans, sponges, clams, soft and stony corals, hydroids and other invertebrates.
General Husbandry: Has a silvery body that has an overall checkered/net-like appearance, and has two partial vertical height black bands extending over the top of the body, and a single full height black vertical band at the rear of the body.
Rarely seen in the U.S. hobby since its not as colorfull as others in this genus, and is said to adapt quite easily to aquarium life in larger peaceful fish-only aquariums, especially those with lots of open swimming space. This species is an excellent browser of filamentous algae, therefore flake foods, and especially those containing Spirulina and/or Nori should be offered, as should a meaty diet of live fortified brine shrimp, black worms (Lumbriculus variegatus), and/or various frozen meaty foods such as mysis, and overall be offered several times daily.
May be maintained in pairs or small groups, and even with other species in this family.
Should there be a problem getting this species to feed in the aquarium, small human consumption clams/black mussels purchased in local grocery stores and placed on the half-shell in the aquarium may help entice it to begin feeding. Over time, frozen foods like mysis and brine shrimp should be more readily accepted.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidei
Family: Chaetodontidae
Genus: Chaetodon
FYI: Juveniles acclimate more easily to aquarium life than do adults.
Pressing some soft foods into openings/crevices on a piece of old dead coral skeleton can sometimes encourage finicky eaters to begin feeding.
Experience Level: Intermediate
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Omnivore
Coral Safe: No
Invertebrate Safe: No
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Fish-only aquarium
Tankmates: Peaceful or non-aggressive
Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons
Temperature Range: 72 - 82°F (22 – 28°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 -1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
